10 Best Low-Calorie Cocktails

10 Best Low-Calorie Cocktails

Office parties, family gatherings, dinner with friends, New Year’s Eve bashes—the holidays are filled with boozey temptations. To imbibe without feeling guilty, sip in moderation (watch portion size! A couple refills or an oversize serving glass and you’re back in calorie city) and stick to these fewer-than-200-calorie drink options.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Mojito

Although a drink made with sugar screams “back away!” for the waistline-conscious, you can request half the simple syrup—or ditch it altogether. Mint, lime, and soda water are all naturally low-cal, a shot of rum is about 100 calories, and 2 tbsp. of sugar (half the normal serving) in the form of syrup is about 40 calories.

Photo: Condé Nast Archive

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Rum and Diet Coke

Ah, the classic rum and Coke—minus the, well, Coke. Enid Cortes, bartender at New York City’s Royalton Hotel, says a white rum and diet cola is a good choice to cut the calories. Or try a spiced rum to give the drink a kick.

Photo: Gourmet/Romulo Yanes

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Sea Breeze

If you usually order a vodka-cranberry, try a sea breeze. The 4 oz. of grapefruit juice, 1½ oz. of cranberry juice, and 1 oz. of vodka will set you back about 180 calories.

Photo: Gourmet/Romulo Yanes

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Vanilla Vodka and Diet Ginger Ale

For a drink that tastes like a slice of cake, order a diet ginger ale and vanilla vodka. If you use a single shot of liquor, it’s less than 100 calories—and sugar-free.

Photo: Thinkstock

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Tequila and Soda

Cortes says to ditch the sugar-laden margarita and say viva la tequila on the rocks with club soda for a 100-calorie drink. Add a squeeze of lime to up the refreshment factor.

Photo: CN Digital Studio

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Champagne

Forget choosing between wine and beer. A 4-oz. glass of bubbly is only 85 calories. That’s about 15 calories less than a 12-oz. bottle of light beer or a 4-oz. glass of wine—and let’s be honest: The average glass of wine is usually at least twice that size.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Sour-Apple Martini

We bet you thought this list was going to be filled with sippers like white-wine spritzers. Guess again. While we don’t recommend a Carrie Bradshaw-approved cosmo (it has more than 250 calories), that doesn’t mean all martinis are off limits. Try a sour-apple one, made with 2 1/2 oz. sour mix and 3/4 oz. each vodka and sour apple liqueur, for a 160-calorie treat.

No, it’s not the most glamorous drink at the bar, but it is refreshing (and refreshingly low in calories—under 100!). Plus, it’s clear, so your dry cleaner will thank you if you spill any on your new party dress.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Mudslide

This is the kind of sweet drink that sounds like it’ll set you back more calories than a hot-fudge sundae. In reality, it’ll cost you 184 calories. Maybe the Dude from The Big Lebowski could have whittled his waistline if he’d drunk these instead of white Russians (338 calories).

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Gin and Tonic

It’s always good to have a go-to drink, and unless you’re still in school, a vodka and Red Bull doesn’t count. Up your sophistication level while lowering your calorie count by ordering a G&T. There are 103 calories in 1 oz. gin and 3 oz. tonic.